Women of Color Luncheon Set for April 5

The Fairmont State Women of Color Luncheon "A Celebration of Diversity and Achievement" on Tuesday, April 5, will honor an outstanding Fairmont community member Charlotte Meade.

The event, sponsored by the Fairmont State Office of Student Affairs, will take place at noon in the Turley Center Ballroom.

"The Women of Color Luncheon is an opportunity to honor those in the community who care for other people and who treat people fairly, regardless of their color," said Michael Belmear, Vice President for Student Affairs. "During the luncheon, we will also honor key people on campus for their celebration of diversity."

Charlotte Meade was born in Fairmont, attended Dunbar School and graduated from Dunbar High School in 1955. She went on to attend West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University) and graduated in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and English (grades 1-9). Meade is also a graduate of Toledo University with a master's degree in education with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction. She taught eighth-grade language arts at Robinson Junior High School in Toledo, Ohio, for 18 years. Her career also includes teaching at Fairmont Business College for two years and eighth-grade language arts at Monongah Middle School for 25 years. She retired in June 2003.

Meade is active in her local church, Trinity United Methodist Church in Fairmont, and in the W.Va. Conference of the United Methodist Church, as well as in the BMCR, the Black Caucus of the United Methodist Church. With the Rev. Richard Bowyer and Betty Hart, Meade co-wrote "Prayer in the Black Tradition" and served on the Task Force of "Songs of Zion." She is also the author of original poetry featured in the West Virginia Folklife Center at Fairmont State folklife journal "Traditions" and a self-published book of poetry and written expressions titled "In My Time."

Meade's awards include the Distinguished Citizen of Fairmont, Marion County Teacher of the Year, The Soroptomist International of Fairmont's Woman of Distinction Award, Teacher Award from the City of Fairmont Arts and Humanities Commission and the Milken Foundation Educators Award.

For more information on the event, call (304) 367-4215. An RSVP is required by Wednesday, March 30, to attend the event.